Canada will rely on good length in defense of U19 title
TORONTO (Canada) - Canada will rely on a team that has solid length as they go into the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2019 looking to defend their title from two years ago.
TORONTO (Canada) - Canada will rely on a team that has solid length as they go into the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2019 looking to defend their title from two years ago.
Head coach Dan Vanhooren has selected five players who are 6ft 8in (2.03m) or taller and another two players who are 6ft 6in (1.98m). The tallest players will be the Bediako brothers, with Charles standing at 6ft 11in (2.10m) and Jaden standing at 6ft 10in (2.09m) and Thomas Kennedy listed at 6ft 9in (2.06m).
| Canada's roster for the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2019 | |||
| Matthew Alexander-Moncrieffe | Keon Ambrose-Hylton | Charles Bediako | Jaden Bediako |
| Joel Brown | Thomas Kennedy | AJ Lawson | Karim Mane |
| Jahcobi Neath | Josh Primo | Tyrese Samuel | Damion Squire |
"This team starts with a great foundation of character people along with considerable length and athleticism," Vanhooren said. "As a staff, we are excited to see what they can accomplish in this short time together and are looking forward to the challenges this tournament can provide."
The Bediakos are among six players who helped Canada to a second place showing at the FIBA U18 Americas Championship 2018, along with Joel Brown, AJ Lawson, Jahcobi Neath and Tyrese Samuel. Charles Bediako is also one of three players from the Canada team that finished fourth at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2018 along with Matthew Alexander-Moncrieffe and Keon Ambrose-Hylton.
Canada Basketball continues to rely heavily on players from Ontario with nine players from the province most well-known for Toronto. Samuel, Karim Mane and Damion Squire meanwhile all hail from Quebec.
Canada have been drawn into Group B and will take on Australia, Latvia and Mali.
FIBA